Dean takes himself out of the race for chairman of DNC

Carrie Doyle | December 4, 2016, 1:49

Dean takes himself out of the race for chairman of DNC

National Nurses United today re-affirmed its strong support for Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota to be the next chair of the Democratic National Committee and condemned the latest round vitriolic attacks on Ellison as "symbolic of McCarthy era politics that should have no place in American politics".

This, according to Politico National Political Reporter Gabriel Debenedetti, who is attending the Colorado event.

The former DNC chair reportedly spoke at length about the vast time commitment the job of DNC chair required. Nevertheless, many argue that Ellison's past has been made up for as he has apologized for his relationships with a few less-than-savory times. That was good news for Ellison who is considered the leading contender for the job. To progressive types, Ellison's far-left stance is exactly what the DNC needs in these troubling time.

Among the criticisms of Ellison is that he couldn't fully dedicate himself to the DNC since he also serves in Congress. Hundreds of thousands of voters who went to the polls in 2008 and 2012 stayed home this year, which national Democrats blame for their poor showing in Congress and for the White House.

The third candidate, New Hampshire party Chairman Ray Buckley, touted his neutrality and fairness, noting that he helped Sanders register for his state primary even when some local Clinton supporters tried to remove him from the primary ticket.

"With his stellar record in Congress, which includes an uncompromised commitment to working people, and challenging corporate interests, Keith would be an outstanding leader who lead the shift the Democratic Party needs", DeMoro said. The Anti-Defamation League announced Thursday that newly uncovered comments Ellison had made about Israel in 2010 were "disqualifying". Ellison distanced himself from the group during his first congressional run a decade ago.

7 million people. A region of 350 million all turns on a country of 7 million. While Ellison has been seen as the favorite, there are reports that some of President Barack Obama's advisers are encouraging Labor Secretary Thomas Perez to join the race. His words imply that US foreign policy is based on religiously or national origin-based special interests rather than simply on America's best interests.

Both statements come on the heels of journalists resurfacing his vocal defenses of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and other radical black leaders.

He launched a public website explaining why he'd be good for the job.

And on the matter of his association with the Nation of Islam, he wrote an op-ed for the Washington Post's Acts of Faith blog Friday, declaring, "I should have listened more and talked less".

"I may make an endorsement down the line", Dean said. "I'm not going to have it". "I think I would have and could have won", he said.

The DNC's 447 members are reportedly scheduled to vote on a new party chair February 23-26, 2017.